Ultrasonic system and method for controlling the ultrasonic system

Abstract

An ultrasonic system comprising: a body cavity probe (4) that has a transducer array (11) and is for acquiring imaging data by ultrasonically imaging a site of interest of a subject; and an image recognition processor (27) that determines whether or not measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the site of interest is included in a plurality of sets of imaging data by analyzing the plurality of sets of imaging data in a plurality of scanning directions acquired by the body cavity probe (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic system used by a subject and a method for controlling the ultrasonic system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, ultrasonic imaging of a subject has been performed by taking an ultrasonic image representing a tomogram of the subject using a so-called ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Usually, such ultrasonic imaging is performed by a doctor or the like who has received specialized training, so the subject often visits a hospital for ultrasonic imaging. However, since visiting a hospital can be a physical or mental burden for some subjects, in recent years, for example, it has been required that the subject himself / herself or his / her cohabitant perform ultrasonic imaging of the subject at home.

[0003] In order to enable the subject to easily perform ultrasonic imaging on himself / herself, for example, the ultrasonic system of Patent Document 1 has been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses that an ultrasonic image is generated by scanning inside the subject using a body surface probe that contacts the body surface of the subject, follicles inside the subject are detected from the generated ultrasonic image, and the detection of the follicles is notified to the subject.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, as described in Patent Document 1, when an ultrasound image showing a site of interest such as a follicle is obtained, the size of the site of interest in the ultrasound image may be measured by a physician or other medical professional for the purpose of diagnosing the subject. In the technology of Patent Document 1, the subject is notified that a follicle has been detected from the ultrasound image, but the ultrasound image in which a follicle is detected is not necessarily suitable for measuring the follicle, for example, if only a part of the follicle is visible, and it may be difficult for a physician or other medical professional to measure the size of the follicle.

[0006] Furthermore, to obtain ultrasound images suitable for measuring follicle size, so-called intracavitary probes are often used rather than surface probes. Thus, obtaining ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of follicles and other areas of interest using an intracavitary probe requires sufficient skill and imaging time. Therefore, when an untrained subject or their cohabitant performs ultrasound imaging on a subject using an intracavitary probe, it can be difficult to obtain ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the problems of the conventional methods, and aims to provide an ultrasound system and a control method for the ultrasound system that can easily acquire imaging data suitable for measuring the size of a site of interest, regardless of the user's skill level in ultrasound imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above objective can be achieved with the following configuration. [1] An intracavitary probe having a transducer array and for acquiring imaging data by ultrasound imaging of a site of interest of a subject, An image recognition processor analyzes multiple imaging data acquired by an intracavitary probe in multiple scanning directions to determine whether the multiple imaging data includes measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest. An ultrasonic system equipped with [unspecified features]. [2] The ultrasound system according to [1], wherein the image recognition processor detects a region of interest from multiple captured data, determines whether the entire region of interest is included in the captured data in which the region of interest was detected, and determines that measurement data is included in the multiple captured data if there is a captured data among the multiple captured data in which it is determined that the entire region of interest is included. [3] The device is equipped with a main body connected to an intracavitary probe, The intracavitary probe is an ultrasound system as described in [1] or [2] that transmits multiple imaging data to the main unit of the device. [4] The device body is the ultrasonic system described in [3], including an image recognition processor. [5] Equipped with an external terminal device connected to the main unit via a network, The device itself transmits multiple images to an external terminal device. The external terminal device is the ultrasonic system described in [3], which includes an image recognition processor. [6] Equipped with an external terminal device connected to an intracavitary probe via a network, The intracavitary probe transmits multiple imaging data to an external terminal device. The external terminal device is an ultrasonic system according to [1] or [2], which includes an image recognition processor. [7] An intracavitary probe comprising an image recognition processor, as described in [1] or [2]. [8] An ultrasound system according to any of [1] to [7], wherein multiple imaging data are obtained by ultrasound imaging while the subject moves the probe inside the body cavity. [9] The ultrasound system described in any of [1] to [7], wherein multiple imaging data are acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasound while the intracavitary probe sways in multiple scanning directions.

[10] The ultrasound system according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the imaging data is one of the received echo signal obtained by an intracavitary probe, a processed signal obtained by signal processing based on the received echo signal, or an ultrasound image generated based on the processed signal.

[11] An ultrasound system according to any one of [1] to

[10] , further comprising a notification unit that notifies the subject to terminate ultrasound imaging when the image recognition processor determines that measurement imaging data is included among multiple imaging data.

[12] An ultrasound system according to any one of [1] to

[11] , the image recognition processor includes a measuring unit that measures the size of a site of interest based on measurement imaging data.

[13] The external terminal device has a monitor, An ultrasound system according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein measurement data is transmitted from an image recognition processor to an external terminal device, and an ultrasound image based on the measurement data is displayed on a monitor.

[14] The ultrasonic system according to any one of [1] to

[13] , which includes an image recognition processor that expands the shooting range in the depth direction or azimuthal direction when it is determined that measurement shooting data is not included in the multiple shooting data.

[15] An ultrasound system according to any of [1] to

[14] , wherein the intracavitary probe is a transvaginal probe for ultrasound imaging of the ovary or follicle as the site of interest.

[16] The subject manipulates an intracavitary probe to perform ultrasound imaging of the subject's area of ​​interest. A control method for an ultrasound system that determines whether or not measurement data suitable for measuring the size of a site of interest is included among multiple imaging data acquired by an intracavitary probe in multiple scanning directions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the ultrasound system includes an intracavitary probe having a transducer array and for acquiring imaging data by ultrasound imaging of a subject's area of ​​interest, and an image recognition processor that analyzes multiple imaging data in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intracavitary probe to determine whether or not measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple imaging data. Therefore, imaging data suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest can be easily acquired regardless of the level of ultrasound imaging skill.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transmission / reception circuit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image generation unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an external terminal device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the operation of an ultrasonic system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the imaging range of an intracavitary probe in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing a first example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram showing a second example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram showing a third example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram showing a fourth example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram showing a fifth example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an external terminal device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 16]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external terminal device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external terminal device in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in Embodiment 6 of the present invention. [Figure 21] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in a modified example of Embodiment 6 of the present invention. [Figure 22] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in Embodiment 7 of the present invention. [Figure 23] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultrasound image in Embodiment 7 of the present invention. [Figure 24] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. [Figure 25] This is a schematic diagram showing a first example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. [Figure 26] This is a schematic diagram showing a second example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. [Figure 27] This is a schematic diagram showing a third example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. [Figure 28] This is a schematic diagram showing a fourth example of an ultrasonic image in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following description of the constituent elements is based on a typical embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. In this specification, a numerical range represented by "~" means a range that includes the numbers written before and after "~" as the lower and upper limits, respectively. In this specification, “identical” and “same” include a margin of error that is generally accepted in the art.

[0012] Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasound system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ultrasound system 1 comprises an ultrasound diagnostic device 2 and an external terminal device 3 connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 via a network NW. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is used, for example, by a patient, and the external terminal device 3 is used, for example, by a physician.

[0013] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 comprises an intra-body probe 4 and a main unit 5 that is connected to the intra-body probe 4 by wireless communication.

[0014] The intracavitary probe 4 includes a transducer array 11, to which a transmitting / receiving circuit 12 and a wireless communication circuit 13 are sequentially connected. A probe control unit 14 is also connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 and the wireless communication circuit 13. Although not shown, the probe control unit 14 constitutes a processor. The intracavitary probe 4 also includes a battery (not shown).

[0015] The main body of the device 5 is equipped with a wireless communication circuit 21, to which an image generation unit 22 and a determination unit 23 are connected. A notification unit 24 is connected to the determination unit 23. A device control unit 25 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21, the image generation unit 22, the determination unit 23, and the notification unit 24. An input device 26 is connected to the device control unit 25. Furthermore, the image recognition processor 27 is composed of an image generation unit 22, a determination unit 23, and a device control unit 25.

[0016] The intracavitary probe 4 is an ultrasound probe that is inserted into the subject and performs scanning within the subject, and includes a so-called transvaginal probe for ultrasound imaging of the subject's ovaries or follicles, and a so-called transrectal probe for ultrasound imaging of the subject's prostate, etc.

[0017] The transducer array 11 of the intracavitary probe 4 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in one or two dimensions. Each of these ultrasonic transducers transmits ultrasound according to a drive signal supplied from the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, and also receives ultrasonic echoes from the subject and outputs a received echo signal based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is constructed by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), or a piezoelectric single crystal represented by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

[0018] The transmitting / receiving circuit 12, under the control of the probe control unit 14, transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and processes the received echo signals acquired by the transducer array 11, generating a processed signal based on the received echo signals.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the transmitting and receiving circuit 12 includes a pulser 41 connected to the oscillator array 11, and an amplifier 42, an AD (Analog Digital) converter 43, and a beamformer 44, which are sequentially connected in series from the oscillator array 11.

[0020] The pulser 41 includes, for example, multiple pulse generators, and based on a transmission delay pattern selected in response to a control signal from the probe control unit 14, supplies each drive signal to the multiple ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, adjusting the delay amount, so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transducers form an ultrasonic beam. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric material expands and contracts, generating pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves from each ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the combined wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0021] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by a target, such as a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array 11 of the intra-body cavity probe 4. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the transducer array 11 is received by each ultrasonic transducer that makes up the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer that makes up the transducer array 11 expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generating an electrical signal, which is the received echo signal, and outputs these received echo signals to the amplification unit 42.

[0022] The amplification unit 42 amplifies the received echo signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signals to the AD conversion unit 43. The AD conversion unit 43 converts the signals transmitted from the amplification unit 42 into a digital format. The beamformer 44 performs so-called receive focus processing by adding each digital received echo signal received from the AD conversion unit 43 with a corresponding delay. Through this receive focus processing, each received echo signal converted by the AD conversion unit 43 is phase-aligned and added together to generate a processed signal with a focused ultrasonic echo.

[0023] The wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body cavity probe 4 includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. It transmits the processed signal generated by the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 to the main unit 5 of the device via wireless communication and receives control information for controlling the intra-body cavity probe 4 from the main unit 5.

[0024] The wireless communication circuit 13 generates a transmission signal by modulating the carrier based on the processed signal when transmitting the processed signal to the main unit 5. The wireless communication circuit 13 supplies the transmission signal thus generated to an antenna and transmits radio waves from the antenna, thereby sequentially wirelessly transmitting the processed signal to the main unit 5. Examples of carrier modulation methods include ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), or 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). The wireless communication circuit 13 also reconstructs data such as control information from the transmission signal received from the main unit 5 and sends the reconstructed data to the probe control unit 14.

[0025] The probe control unit 14 controls each part of the intra-body probe 4 according to control information received from the main body of the device 5 via the wireless communication circuit 13 and a pre-recorded program.

[0026] Furthermore, the probe control unit 14 constitutes a processor (not shown) for the intra-body cavity probe 4. This processor consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but it may also be composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination thereof.

[0027] Furthermore, the intra-body cavity probe 4 is equipped with a battery (not shown) to supply power to various parts of the intra-body cavity probe 4.

[0028] The main unit 5 of the device can be composed of a handheld device such as a tablet computer or smartphone, or a device that can be easily carried by the patient, such as a notebook personal computer.

[0029] The wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5 includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. It receives processed signals transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 via wireless communication and transmits control information to the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 for controlling the intra-body probe 4. As will be described later, the wireless communication circuit 21 also transmits ultrasound images and the like to an external terminal device 3 via wireless communication through the network NW.

[0030] The wireless communication circuit 21 generates a transmission signal by modulating the carrier based on the data to be transmitted when transmitting data to the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 and when transmitting data to an external terminal device 3 via the network NW. The wireless communication circuit 21 supplies the transmission signal thus generated to an antenna and transmits radio waves from the antenna to wirelessly transmit data to the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 and the network NW. Examples of carrier modulation methods used include ASK, PSK, QPSK, or 16QAM. The wireless communication circuit 21 also restores the transmission signal received from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the original data and sends the restored data to the image generation unit 22.

[0031] The image recognition processor 27, which consists of an image generation unit 22, a determination unit 23, and a device control unit 25, analyzes multiple frames of ultrasound images acquired by scanning in multiple scanning directions within the subject using an intracavitary probe 4 to determine whether or not a measurement ultrasound image, which is an ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of a site of interest, is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images. Here, the site of interest is a site within the subject that is the subject of examination and whose size is scheduled to be measured using ultrasound images by a physician or other medical professional.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the image generation unit 22 includes a signal processing unit 45 connected to the wireless communication circuit 21, and a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 46 and an image processing unit 47 are sequentially connected in series to the signal processing unit 45. The image processing unit 47 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21 and the determination unit 23.

[0033] The signal processing unit 45 applies a distance-dependent attenuation correction to the processed signal transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21, using a sound velocity value set by the device control unit 25, according to the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position. After this correction, envelope detection processing is performed to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information of the tissue within the subject.

[0034] The DSC46 converts the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 45 into an image signal that follows the scanning method of a normal television signal (raster conversion). The image processing unit 47 generates a B-mode image by applying various necessary image processing, such as gradation processing, to the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 46, and sends the B-mode image to the wireless communication circuit 21 and the determination unit 23. Hereafter, the B-mode image processed by the image processing unit 47 will be referred to as an ultrasound image.

[0035] The ultrasound image transmitted to the wireless communication circuit 21 is sent from the wireless communication circuit 21 to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW and displayed on the external terminal device 3.

[0036] The determination unit 23 analyzes the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 22 to determine whether or not the ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest. The determination unit 23, for example, detects a region of interest from the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 22, determines whether the entire region of interest is included in the ultrasound image in which the region of interest was detected, and determines that the ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image if it is determined that the entire region of interest is included in the ultrasound image. In this way, the determination unit 23 can determine that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the ultrasound images of multiple frames if there is imaging data in which the entire region of interest is determined to be included in the ultrasound images of multiple frames.

[0037] Here, the determination unit 23 can use various generally known image analysis methods when detecting a site of interest in the ultrasound image.

[0038] The determination unit 23 can, for example, use a so-called template matching method. In this case, the determination unit 23 can, for example, pre-store multiple templates with different shapes and textures for the area of ​​interest, calculate a correlation value between the pattern shown in the ultrasound image and the template, and detect areas where the correlation value is above a certain level as the area of ​​interest.

[0039] The determination unit 23 can, for example, use a so-called machine learning method. In this case, the determination unit 23 can, for example, pre-convert multiple training images related to the area of ​​interest and multiple training images related to anatomical structures etc. surrounding the area of ​​interest into so-called feature vectors, and then use the obtained feature vectors to detect the area of ​​interest using so-called Adaboost or SVM (Support Vector Machine), etc.

[0040] Furthermore, the determination unit 23 can also use, for example, a so-called deep learning method. In this case, the determination unit 23 can, for example, pre-store multiple training images relating to the region of interest and the anatomical structures present around it, and detect the region of interest using a so-called segmentation model or the like based on the stored training images.

[0041] Furthermore, the determination unit 23 can determine that an ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image if, for example, the entire area of ​​interest is included in the ultrasound image, and the clarity of the edge of the area of ​​interest in the ultrasound image is higher than a certain value. Here, the clarity of the edge of the area of ​​interest is an index that indicates the clarity of the boundary between the area of ​​interest and the surrounding tissue structure, and the determination unit 23 can calculate the clarity of the edge of the area of ​​interest, for example, by the difference in brightness between the area of ​​interest and the surrounding tissue structure.

[0042] Furthermore, the determination unit 23 can also use a deep learning method to perform a series of processes, from detecting the area of ​​interest in the ultrasound image to determining whether or not the ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest.

[0043] In this way, the ultrasound image determined by the determination unit 23 to be a measurement ultrasound image is linked to the information that it is a measurement ultrasound image and transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW. The determination unit 23 also sends the information that the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 22 is a measurement ultrasound image to the notification unit 24.

[0044] The notification unit 24 notifies the subject that ultrasound imaging is to be terminated when the image recognition processor 27 determines that a measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple frames of ultrasound images taken by the intra-body probe 4.

[0045] The notification unit 24 may include, for example, at least one of a monitor (not shown), a speaker, a lamp, and a so-called vibrator that vibrates the main body of the device 5. The notification unit 24 can notify the subject, for example, by displaying a message on the monitor indicating that the ultrasound imaging is complete, if it includes a monitor. Examples of such monitors include LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) or organic electroluminescent displays (Organic EL Displays).

[0046] Furthermore, if the notification unit 24 includes, for example, a speaker, it can notify the subject by emitting sound. Also, if the notification unit 24 includes, for example, a lamp, it can notify the subject by emitting light in a specific light emission pattern or in a specific color. Furthermore, if the notification unit 24 includes, for example, a vibrator, it can notify the subject by vibrating the main body of the device 5.

[0047] The device control unit 25 controls each part of the device body 5 according to a pre-recorded program or the like. The input device 26 is for the subject or other user to perform input operations. The input device 26 consists of, for example, buttons, switches, touchpads, and touch panels, which are devices for the subject or other user to perform input operations.

[0048] The image recognition processor 27, which consists of an image generation unit 22, a determination unit 23, and a device control unit 25, is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes. However, it may also be composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination thereof.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the external terminal device 3 in Embodiment 1. The external terminal device 3 includes a communication circuit 61 that is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5 via a network NW. A display control unit 62 and a monitor 63 are sequentially connected to the communication circuit 61. A terminal control unit 64 is also connected to the communication circuit 61 and the display control unit 62. An input device 65 is connected to the terminal control unit 64. The display control unit 62 and the terminal control unit 64 constitute a processor 66 for the external terminal device 3. External terminal device 3 is operated by, for example, a doctor, and can be composed of a so-called workstation.

[0050] The communication circuit 61 connects to the network NW via wireless or wired communication. The communication circuit 61 can receive ultrasound images and the like from the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5 via the network NW.

[0051] The terminal control unit 64 controls each part of the external terminal device 3 according to a pre-recorded program or the like. The display control unit 62, under the control of the terminal control unit 64, performs predetermined processing on the ultrasonic image, etc., received by the communication circuit 61 and displays it on the monitor 63. The monitor 63 displays various information under the control of the display control unit 62. The monitor 63 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD or an organic EL display.

[0052] The input device 65 is for a doctor or other person operating the external terminal device 3 to perform input operations. The input device 65 consists of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, and touch panel. A physician or other operator operating the external terminal device 3 can measure the area of ​​interest in the ultrasound image received by the communication circuit 61 via the input device 65.

[0053] The processor 66, which is composed of the display control unit 62 and the terminal control unit 64, consists of a CPU and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but it may also be composed of FPGAs, DSPs, ASICs, GPUs, or other ICs, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the display control unit 62 and the terminal control unit 64 of the processor 66 may be partially or entirely integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0054] Next, the operation of the ultrasound system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 6. In the following explanation of operation using Figure 6, we will describe an example in which the subject performs ultrasound imaging of themselves using an intracavitary probe 4, a transvaginal probe is used as the intracavitary probe 4, and the site of interest is the ovary.

[0055] First, in step S1, an ultrasound image is acquired by performing ultrasound imaging inside the subject with the intracavitary probe 4 inserted inside the subject. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, the subject moves the intracavitary probe 4 so that the tip of the intracavitary probe 4 is pointed in multiple directions while the subject is performing ultrasound imaging while changing the scanning direction. In the example in Figure 7, the intracavitary probe 4 is moved so that the tip of the intracavitary probe 4 is pointed towards the right side region R1 of the subject's uterus T as seen from the subject's perspective, but the intracavitary probe 4 may be moved so that the tip of the intracavitary probe 4 is pointed towards the left side region of the uterus T as seen from the subject's perspective.

[0056] Furthermore, when ultrasound imaging is performed, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted into the subject from multiple transducers of the transducer array 11 according to a drive signal from the pulser 41 of the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, and a received echo signal is sent from each transducer that receives an ultrasonic echo from the subject to the amplification unit 42 of the transmitting / receiving circuit 12. The received echo signal is amplified in the amplification unit 42, converted from analog to digital format in the AD conversion unit 43, and then phase-corrected and added in the beamformer 34 to generate a processed signal with a focused ultrasonic echo.

[0057] The processed signal generated in this manner is transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5 of the device, and then sent to the image generation unit 22. Furthermore, the image generation unit 22 generates an ultrasound image based on the processed signal. The ultrasound image generated in this manner is then sent to the determination unit 23.

[0058] Next, in step S2, the determination unit 23 of the image recognition processor 27 stores the ultrasound image acquired in step S1 and determines whether a predetermined N frames of ultrasound images have been acquired since ultrasound imaging began. Here, N is an integer of 2 or more, and can be set in advance, for example, before the operation of the ultrasound system 1 shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 begins.

[0059] If it is determined that the number of acquired ultrasound images has not reached N frames, the process returns to step S1. In this case, since only one frame of ultrasound image has been acquired, the process returns to step S1 and a new ultrasound image is generated. In this way, steps S1 and S2 are repeated until N frames of ultrasound images in multiple scanning directions have been acquired.

[0060] If it is determined that N frames of ultrasound images have been acquired through the repetition of steps S1 and S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0061] In step S3, the determination unit 23 of the image recognition processor 27 determines whether the N frames of ultrasound images acquired by repeating the processing in steps S1 and S2 contain a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the ovary, which is the area of ​​interest. At this time, the determination unit 23 performs a process to detect the ovary for each of the N frames of ultrasound images, for example, using a method such as template matching, machine learning, or deep learning, and determines whether the ultrasound image in which the ovary is detected includes the entire ovary. If there is an ultrasound image that is determined to include the entire ovary, the determination unit 23 can determine that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the N frames of ultrasound images.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figures 8 to 12, when five ultrasound images U1 to U5 are acquired by repeating the processing of steps S1 and S2, the determination unit 23 performs image analysis on each of the ultrasound images U1 to U5 to detect the area of ​​interest. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the determination unit 23 detects that the entire ovary F1 is included in ultrasound image U3 and determines that a measurement ultrasound image is included among the five ultrasound images U1 to U5.

[0063] Incidentally, normally, acquiring measurement ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of sites of interest such as ovaries using an intracavitary probe requires sufficient skill and acquisition time. Therefore, it has often been difficult for subjects who have not received specialized training to acquire measurement ultrasound images using an intracavitary probe. However, in step S3, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple ultrasound images, so even subjects without sufficient skill can acquire measurement ultrasound images in a short amount of time.

[0064] If step S3 determines that the N-frame ultrasound image contains a measurement ultrasound image, proceed to step S4. In step S4, the notification unit 24 notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging is ending. The notification unit 24 may include a monitor, speaker, lamp, vibrator, etc. (not shown), and at least one of these can be used to notify the subject.

[0065] By notifying the subject in this way, the subject can clearly understand that the measurement ultrasound image, which is the purpose of ultrasound imaging, has been acquired, even if they do not have sufficient expertise in ultrasound imaging.

[0066] Furthermore, the ultrasound image determined to be a measurement ultrasound image in step S3 can be transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5 to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW. The ultrasound image transmitted to the external terminal device 3 can be used by a physician or other professional to measure the size of the ovary, which is the area of ​​interest.

[0067] Once notification to the subject is completed in step S4, the operation of the ultrasound system 1 according to the flowchart in Figure 6 is completed.

[0068] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S3 that there are no measurement ultrasound images in the N frames of ultrasound images, the process returns to step S1 and a new ultrasound image is acquired. When it is determined in step S3 that there are no measurement ultrasound images, the number of ultrasound image frames counted by the determination unit 23 in step S2 is reset. Therefore, in the newly performed step S2 process, the ultrasound image generated in step S1 following step S3 is counted as the first ultrasound image frame.

[0069] The processing in steps S1 to S4 is as described above, so we will omit the explanation.

[0070] As described above, according to the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, by analyzing multiple frames of ultrasound images in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intracavitary probe 4, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images. Therefore, measurement ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily acquired regardless of the user's skill level in ultrasound imaging.

[0071] Furthermore, with the ultrasound system 1, the measurement ultrasound image is transmitted to an external terminal device 3 operated by a physician or other medical professional, allowing for more reliable measurement of the size of the area of ​​interest using the measurement ultrasound image.

[0072] Although it is explained that in step S1, multiple processed signals are acquired as multiple frames of ultrasound images by the subject manually moving the intracavitary probe 4 while performing ultrasound imaging, the multiple frames of ultrasound images may also be acquired by electronically stairing the intracavitary probe 4 in multiple scanning directions while transmitting and receiving ultrasound. In this case, the subject does not need to move the intracavitary probe 4, and even if the subject is not accustomed to performing ultrasound imaging, multiple frames of ultrasound images in multiple scanning directions can be easily acquired.

[0073] Furthermore, in step S2, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not an N-frame ultrasound image has been acquired, and in step S3, it determines whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the N-frame ultrasound image. However, the determination unit 23 can also determine whether or not an ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image each time an ultrasound image is acquired in step S1.

[0074] Even in this case, the determination of whether or not a measurement ultrasound image has been acquired is automatically performed in the same way as when the determination is made for an N-frame ultrasound image, making it easy to acquire a measurement ultrasound image.

[0075] Furthermore, although the notification unit 24 is included in the main body 5 of the device, it may also be included in the intra-body cavity probe 4.

[0076] Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is included in the intra-body probe 4, but it may also be included in the main body of the device 5. In this case, the wireless communication circuit 13 is connected to the transducer array 11 in the intra-body probe 4. Also, in the main body of the device 5, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21, and the image generation unit 22 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12.

[0077] Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 may be composed of an electrical circuit, a CPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, GPU, or other IC, or a combination thereof. If the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is composed of a CPU or the like, a processor (not shown) can be formed in the intra-body probe 4 by the probe control unit 14 and the transmitting / receiving circuit 12.

[0078] Furthermore, although the image generation unit 22 is included in the main body of the device 5, it may also be included in the intra-body cavity probe 4. In this case, the image generation unit 22 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 in the intra-body cavity probe 4, and the wireless communication circuit 13 is connected to the image generation unit 22. Also, in the main body of the device 5, the determination unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21.

[0079] Furthermore, it has been explained that the determination unit 23 of the image recognition processor 27 detects areas of interest in the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 22 and determines whether or not the ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image based on the detected areas of interest. Thus, both the detection of areas of interest and the determination of whether or not an ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image are performed in one image recognition processor 27, but the detection of areas of interest and the determination of whether or not an ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image may be performed in parallel by different processors.

[0080] Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 1, it is explained that multiple frames of ultrasound images are acquired as multiple imaging data analyzed by the image recognition processor 27, and a measurement ultrasound image is acquired as measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest. However, multiple processed signals may be acquired as multiple imaging data, and a measurement processed signal may be acquired as measurement imaging data.

[0081] The second embodiment of the ultrasound system is the same as the first embodiment of the ultrasound system 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2A shown in Figure 13, and instead of the external terminal device 3, it is equipped with the external terminal device 3A shown in Figure 14.

[0082] Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2A is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2, but with a device body 5A instead of the device body 5. Device body 5A is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 5 in Embodiment 1, but with the image generation unit 22 removed and a device control unit 25A instead of the device control unit 25. In the main body 5A of the device, the determination unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21 and the device control unit 25A. The determination unit 23 and the device control unit 25A together constitute the image recognition processor 27A.

[0083] External terminal device 3A is the same as external terminal device 3 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5, but with the addition of an image generation unit 71 and a terminal control unit 64A instead of the terminal control unit 64. The image generation unit 71 is the same as the image generation unit 22 of the main unit 5 in Embodiment 1.

[0084] In the external terminal device 3A, the image generation unit 71 is connected to the communication circuit 61 and the terminal control unit 64A. Furthermore, the display control unit 62 is connected to the image generation unit 71. The display control unit 62, the terminal control unit 64A, and the image generation unit 71 together constitute the processor 66A for the external terminal device 3A.

[0085] As the subject is scanned in multiple scanning directions using the intracavitary probe 4, the transducer array 11 outputs multiple received echo signals corresponding to the multiple scanning directions.

[0086] The transmitting and receiving circuit 12 acquires multiple processed signals corresponding to multiple scanning directions based on multiple received echo signals corresponding to multiple scanning directions. The multiple processed signals acquired in this way are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the device body 5A. The wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5A of the device receives multiple processed signals and sends them to the determination unit 23.

[0087] The determination unit 23 analyzes multiple processed signals corresponding to multiple scanning directions to determine whether a processed signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest, i.e., a processed signal for measurement, is included among the multiple processed signals. In this process, the determination unit 23 performs a process to detect a signal corresponding to the area of ​​interest for each processed signal corresponding to each scanning direction, and determines whether the processed signal in which that signal was detected contains a signal corresponding to the entire area of ​​interest. If it is determined that a signal corresponding to the entire area of ​​interest is included, it can be determined that a processed signal for measurement is included among the multiple processed signals.

[0088] The determination unit 23 transmits the processed signal, which has been determined to be a processed signal for measurement, to the external terminal device 3A via the network NW from the wireless communication circuit 21.

[0089] The communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3A receives a processed signal that has been determined to be a processed signal for measurement and sends it to the image generation unit 71. The image generation unit 71 receives a processed signal from the communication circuit 61 and generates an ultrasound image based on the received processed signal. This ultrasound image includes, for example, the entire area of ​​interest and is suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0090] The ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 71 in this manner is displayed on the Monitor 63 via the display control unit 62. Doctors and other personnel operating the external terminal device 3A can use the ultrasound image displayed on the monitor 63 to more accurately measure the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0091] As described above, the ultrasound system of Embodiment 2, similar to the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1, automatically determines whether or not a measurement-processed signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple processed signals. Therefore, a measurement-processed signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained regardless of the level of ultrasound imaging skill.

[0092] In Embodiment 2, the image generation unit 71 is described as being included in the external terminal device 3A, but it may also be included in the main device body 5A, for example. In that case, for example, the wireless communication circuit 21, the determination unit 23, and the image generation unit 71 are connected in that order, and the image generation unit 71 can be further connected to the wireless communication circuit 21.

[0093] In this process, the image generation unit 71 generates an ultrasound image based on the processed signal determined by the determination unit 23 to be a processed signal for measurement. The generated ultrasound image can be transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 to the external terminal device 3A via the network NW. The ultrasound image received by the communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3A can be displayed on the monitor 63.

[0094] Embodiment 3 In Embodiment 1, it is explained that multiple frames of ultrasound images are acquired as multiple imaging data analyzed by the determination unit 23, and a measurement ultrasound image is acquired as measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest. However, multiple received echo signals may be acquired as multiple imaging data, and a measurement received echo signal may be acquired as measurement imaging data.

[0095] The second embodiment of the ultrasound system is the same as the first embodiment of the ultrasound system 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2B shown in Figure 15, and instead of the external terminal device 3, it is equipped with the external terminal device 3B shown in Figure 16.

[0096] Ultrasound diagnostic device 2B is an ultrasound diagnostic device 2 in which, in the embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2, an intracavitary probe 4B is provided instead of the intracavitary probe 4, and an apparatus body 5B is provided instead of the apparatus body 5.

[0097] In the intra-body probe 4B, the intra-body probe 4 in Embodiment 1 is equipped with a transmitting circuit 72 instead of a transmitting / receiving circuit 12, and a probe control unit 14B instead of a probe control unit 14. In the intra-body probe 4B, the transmitting circuit 72 and the wireless communication circuit 13 are connected to the transducer array 11. The probe control unit 14B is also connected to the transmitting circuit 72. The probe control unit 14B constitutes a processor (not shown) for the intra-body probe 4B.

[0098] The main unit 5B of the device is the same as the main unit 5 in Embodiment 1, but with the image generation unit 22 removed and the device control unit 25 replaced by a device control unit 25B. In the main body 5A of the device, the determination unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21 and the device control unit 25A. Furthermore, the determination unit 23 and the device control unit 25B constitute the image recognition processor 27B.

[0099] The transmitting circuit 72 includes the pulser 41 of the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 3, and supplies its respective drive signals to the multiple ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, adjusting the delay amount, based on a transmission delay pattern selected in response to a control signal from the probe control unit 14B, so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the multiple ultrasonic transducers form an ultrasonic beam.

[0100] In this way, as the transducer array 11 is scanned in multiple scanning directions using the intracavitary probe 4 while the transmitting circuit 72 supplies a drive signal, the transducer array 11 outputs multiple received echo signals corresponding to the multiple scanning directions. The multiple received echo signals acquired in this way are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intracavitary probe 4B to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5B of the device.

[0101] The wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5B receives multiple received echo signals and sends them to the determination unit 23.

[0102] The determination unit 23 analyzes multiple received echo signals corresponding to multiple scanning directions to determine whether or not a received echo signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest, i.e., a measurement received echo signal, is included among the multiple received echo signals. In this process, the determination unit 23 performs a process to detect a signal corresponding to the area of ​​interest for each received echo signal corresponding to each scanning direction, and determines whether or not a signal corresponding to the entire area of ​​interest is included in the received echo signal in which that signal was detected. If it is determined that a signal corresponding to the entire area of ​​interest is included, the determination unit 23 can determine that a measurement received echo signal is included among the multiple received echo signals.

[0103] The determination unit 23 transmits the received echo signal, which it has determined to be a received echo signal for measurement, to the external terminal device 3A via the network NW from the wireless communication circuit 21.

[0104] External terminal device 3B is an external terminal device 3 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5, with the addition of a receiving circuit 73 and an image generation unit 74, and a terminal control unit 64B instead of the terminal control unit 64. The image generation unit 74 is the same as the image generation unit 22 of the main unit 5 in Embodiment 1.

[0105] In the external terminal device 3B, the communication circuit 61, receiving circuit 73, image generation unit 74, display control unit 62, and monitor 63 are connected in sequence. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 64B is connected to the receiving circuit 73. The display control unit 62, terminal control unit 64B, and image generation unit 74 constitute the processor 66B for the external terminal device 3B.

[0106] The communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3B receives a received echo signal from the main device 5B via the network NW, which is determined to be a received echo signal for measurement, and sends the received echo signal to the receiving circuit 73.

[0107] The receiving circuit 73 includes the amplification unit 42, AD conversion unit 43, and beamformer 44 of the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 3, and generates a processed signal based on the received echo signal.

[0108] The image generation unit 74 generates an ultrasound image based on the processed signal generated by the receiving circuit 73. The ultrasound image thus generated is suitable for measuring the size of a region of interest, for example, by including the entire region of interest. This ultrasound image is sent to the monitor 63 via the display control unit 62 and displayed on the monitor 63.

[0109] A physician or other operator operating the external terminal device 3B can accurately measure the size of the area of ​​interest using the ultrasound image displayed on the monitor 63.

[0110] As described above, the ultrasound system of Embodiment 3, similar to the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1, automatically determines whether or not a measurement-appropriate received echo signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple received echo signals. Therefore, a measurement-appropriate received echo signal suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained regardless of the level of ultrasound imaging skill.

[0111] Although the receiving circuit 73 and image generation unit 74 are described as being included in the external terminal device 3B, they can also be included in the main unit 5B. In that case, for example, the determination unit 23, receiving circuit 73, and image generation unit 74 are sequentially connected to the wireless communication circuit 21. The image generation unit 74 is also connected to the wireless communication circuit 21. The receiving circuit 73 generates a processed signal based on the received echo signal determined by the determination unit 23 to be a received echo signal for measurement, and the image generation unit 74 generates an ultrasound image based on the received echo signal. The generated ultrasound image is transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 to the external terminal device 3B via the network NW and displayed on the monitor 63.

[0112] Furthermore, it is explained that the received echo signal is transmitted wirelessly to the network NW from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intracavitary probe 4B and the wireless communication circuit 21 of the device body 5B. However, since the received echo signal generally contains a large amount of data, it is preferable to transmit the signal to the network NW via wired communication by connecting the intracavitary probe 4B, the device body 5B, and the network NW with a wired connection.

[0113] Embodiment 4 In the ultrasonic system 1 of Embodiment 1, an image recognition processor 27 is configured in the main body 5 that analyzes multiple frames of ultrasonic images and determines whether or not a measurement ultrasonic image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasonic images. However, the image recognition processor 27 may be configured in, for example, an external terminal device 3.

[0114] The ultrasound system of Embodiment 4 is the same as the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C shown in Figure 17, and instead of the external terminal device 3, it is equipped with the external terminal device 3C shown in Figure 18.

[0115] As shown in Figure 17, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2C in Embodiment 2 is equipped with an apparatus body 5C in place of the apparatus body 5 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2. The apparatus body 5C is equipped with an apparatus body 25C in place of the apparatus body 5 in Embodiment 1, with the image generation unit 22 and determination unit 23 removed, and the apparatus control unit 25 replaced by an apparatus control unit 25C.

[0116] In the main unit 5A of the device, the notification unit 24 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21. Although not shown in the figure, the device control unit 25C constitutes a processor for the main unit 5C.

[0117] As shown in Figure 18, the external terminal device 3C in Embodiment 4 is the same as the external terminal device 3 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 5, but with the addition of an image generation unit 75 and a determination unit 76, and a terminal control unit 64C instead of a terminal control unit 64. The image generation unit 75 is the same as the image generation unit 22 of the device body 5 in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, and the determination unit 76 is the same as the determination unit 23 of the device body 5 in Embodiment 1.

[0118] In the external terminal device 3C, the image generation unit 75, display control unit 62, and monitor 63 are sequentially connected to the communication circuit 61. Furthermore, the determination unit 76 is connected to the image generation unit 75, and the communication circuit 61 is connected to the determination unit 76. The image generation unit 75 and the determination unit 76 are connected to the terminal control unit 64C.

[0119] Furthermore, the image recognition processor 66C is composed of a display control unit 62, a terminal control unit 64C, an image generation unit 75, and a determination unit 76.

[0120] In the ultrasound system of Embodiment 2, the transmitting and receiving circuit 12 of the intra-body probe 4 generates multiple processed signals. These multiple processed signals are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5C of the device, and further transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 to an external terminal device 3C via the network NW.

[0121] In the external terminal device 3C, multiple processed signals are received by the communication circuit 61. The image generation unit 75 of the image recognition processor 66C generates an ultrasound image based on the processed signal.

[0122] The determination unit 76 analyzes the ultrasound image to determine whether the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 75 is a measurement ultrasound image. The information determined by the determination unit 76 that a measurement ultrasound image is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images is transmitted from the communication circuit 61 to the device body 5C via the network NW.

[0123] The wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5C receives information from an external terminal device 3C via the network NW that a measurement ultrasound image is included in multiple frames of ultrasound images, and transmits this information to the notification unit 24. When the notification unit 24 receives information that a measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple frames of ultrasound images, it notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging will be terminated.

[0124] Furthermore, in the external terminal device 3C, the ultrasound images generated by the image generation unit 75 are sent to the monitor 63 via the display control unit 62 and displayed on the monitor 63. In addition, ultrasound images determined by the determination unit 76 to be ultrasound images for measurement can be highlighted on the monitor 63 to distinguish them from other ultrasound images, for example. This allows physicians and others operating the external terminal device 3C to easily identify ultrasound images suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest and to perform measurements of the area of ​​interest using those ultrasound images.

[0125] From the above, according to the ultrasound system of Embodiment 4, even when the image recognition processor 66C is included in the external terminal device 3C, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images, similar to the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, measurement ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained regardless of the level of ultrasound imaging skill.

[0126] Although it has been explained that the ultrasound image generated by the intra-body probe 4 is transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the external terminal device 3C via the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5C, it is also possible to transmit it directly from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intra-body probe 4 to the external terminal device 3C via the network NW.

[0127] Furthermore, while it is explained that an image recognition processor 66C is included in an external terminal device 3C, which is configured as a workstation and used by doctors and others for the observation and measurement of ultrasound images, an image recognition processor may also be included in an external terminal device (not shown), which is configured as a server device, for example.

[0128] In this case, the ultrasonic system may include, for example, a first external terminal device (not shown) which is obtained by removing the image generation unit 75 and the determination unit 76 from the external terminal device 3C shown in Figure 18, and a second external terminal device (not shown) which includes a communication circuit 61, a terminal control unit 64A, an image generation unit 75, and a determination unit 76. In the second external terminal device, an image recognition processor (not shown) is formed by the terminal control unit 64C, the image generation unit 75, and the determination unit 76. The first and second external terminal devices are connected to each other via a network NW.

[0129] In this case, multiple frames of ultrasound images are transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C to the second external terminal device, and the image recognition processor of the second external terminal device analyzes the multiple frames of ultrasound images to determine whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images. If it is determined that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images, information indicating that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images is transmitted from the second external terminal device to the device main unit 5C.

[0130] When the notification unit 24 of the main unit 5C receives information from the wireless communication circuit 21 that a measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple frames of ultrasound images, it notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging is to be terminated.

[0131] Furthermore, ultrasound images determined to be suitable for measurement by the image recognition processor of the second external terminal device are transmitted from the second external terminal device to the first external terminal device. This allows a physician or other operator of the first external terminal device to easily identify ultrasound images suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest and use these ultrasound images to measure the area of ​​interest.

[0132] Thus, even when a first external terminal device is provided for a physician or other medical professional to review ultrasound images and measure the area of ​​interest, and a second external terminal device is provided consisting of a server device including an image recognition processor 66C, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images. Therefore, even when an ultrasound is performed by a subject who does not have sufficient skill in ultrasound imaging, a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained.

[0133] Furthermore, it is explained that the determination unit 76 of the image recognition processor 66C detects a region of interest in the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 75 and determines whether or not the ultrasound image is a measurement ultrasound image based on the detected region of interest. Thus, both the process of detecting the region of interest and the process of determining whether or not it is a measurement ultrasound image are performed in one image recognition processor 66C, but the process of detecting the region of interest and the process of determining whether or not it is a measurement ultrasound image may be performed in parallel by different processors. In this case, the processor that performs the process of detecting the region of interest and the processor that performs the process of determining whether or not it is a measurement ultrasound image may both be included in the external terminal device 3C, or one of them may be included in the intracavitary probe 4C or the device body 5C.

[0134] Although the aspects of Embodiment 4 are described as being applicable to Embodiment 1, they can also be applied to Embodiments 2 and 3.

[0135] Embodiment 5 In Embodiment 1, an image recognition processor 27 is configured in the main body 5 that analyzes multiple frames of ultrasound images and determines whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images. However, the image recognition processor 27 may be configured in, for example, the intracavitary probe 4.

[0136] The ultrasound system of Embodiment 5 is the same as the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2D shown in Figure 19.

[0137] The ultrasound diagnostic device 2D of Embodiment 3 is the same as the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2, but is equipped with an intracavitary probe 4D instead of the intracavitary probe 4, and equipped with a device body 5D instead of the device body 5.

[0138] The intracavitary probe 4D is an intracavitary probe 4 in Embodiment 1 with the addition of an image generation unit 77 and a determination unit 78, and is equipped with a probe control unit 14D instead of a probe control unit 14. The image generation unit 77 is the same as the image generation unit 22 in Embodiment 1, and the determination unit 78 is the same as the determination unit 23 in Embodiment 1.

[0139] In the intracavitary probe 4D, an image generation unit 77 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, and a determination unit 78 and a wireless communication circuit 13 are connected to the image generation unit 77. In addition, a probe control unit 14D is connected to both the image generation unit 77 and the determination unit 78. Furthermore, the probe control unit 14D, the image generation unit 77, and the determination unit 78 constitute the image recognition processor 79.

[0140] In Embodiment 5, the main unit 5D of the device is the same as the main unit 5 of Embodiment 1, but with the image generation unit 22 and determination unit 23 removed, and a device control unit 25D instead of the device control unit 25. In the main unit 5D, the notification unit 24 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 21 and the device control unit 25D. Furthermore, the device control unit 25D constitutes a processor (not shown) for the main unit 5D.

[0141] In the ultrasound system of Embodiment 5, the image recognition processor 79 of the intracavitary probe 4D generates multiple ultrasound images as multiple frames of ultrasound images, and determines whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple ultrasound images by analyzing the generated multiple frames of ultrasound images.

[0142] In this process, the image generation unit 77 of the image recognition processor 79 generates multiple frames of ultrasound images based on multiple processed signals generated by the transmitting and receiving circuit 12. The determination unit 78 of the image recognition processor 79 analyzes the multiple frames of ultrasound images generated by the image generation unit 77 to determine whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images. The information determined by the determination unit 78 that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images is transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 to the main unit 5D of the device.

[0143] The wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5D receives information from the intracavitary probe 4D that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the ultrasound images of multiple frames, and transmits this information to the notification unit 24. When the notification unit 24 receives information that a measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple frames of ultrasound images, it notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging will be terminated.

[0144] Furthermore, in the intra-body probe 4D, ultrasound images determined by the determination unit 78 to be measurement ultrasound images are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5D of the device, and then transmitted to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW. The communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3 receives an ultrasound image that has been determined to be a measurement ultrasound image, and sends the ultrasound image to the monitor 63 via the display control unit 62. As a result, the measurement ultrasound image is displayed on the monitor 63. A physician or other operator of the external terminal device 3 can easily identify an ultrasound image suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest and use this ultrasound image to measure the area of ​​interest.

[0145] From the above, according to the ultrasound system of Embodiment 5, even when the image recognition processor 79 is included in the intracavitary probe 4D, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images, similar to the ultrasound system 1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, measurement ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained regardless of the skill level of the ultrasound imaging.

[0146] Although it has been explained that the ultrasound images generated by the intracavitary probe 4D are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intracavitary probe 4D to the external terminal device 3 via the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5D, it is also possible to transmit them directly from the wireless communication circuit 13 of the intracavitary probe 4D to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW.

[0147] Embodiment 6 In cases where the image recognition processors 66C and 79 are not included in the main unit 5C and 5D of the ultrasound system, as in the ultrasound system of Embodiment 4 and Embodiment 5, the main unit 5C and 5D can be omitted, and the ultrasound diagnostic devices 2C and 2D can be configured using only the intracavitary probes 4 and 4D.

[0148] Although not shown in the figures, the ultrasound system of Embodiment 4 is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C shown in Figure 20 instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C shown in Figure 17, as in the ultrasound system of Embodiment 2.

[0149] Ultrasound diagnostic device 2E is the same as the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C in Embodiment 4, but with the main body 5C removed and an intracavitary probe 4E installed instead of the intracavitary probe 4. In other words, ultrasound diagnostic device 2E is composed of the intracavitary probe 4E.

[0150] In the intracavitary probe 4E, a notification unit 80 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 13 and the probe control unit 14E. The notification unit 80 is the same as the notification unit 24 of the device body 5C in Embodiment 4. Furthermore, the probe control unit 14E constitutes a processor (not shown) for the intracavitary probe 4E.

[0151] In the ultrasound system of Embodiment 6, the transmit / receive circuit 12 of the intra-body probe 4E generates multiple processed signals. These multiple processed signals are transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 13 via the network NW to the external terminal device 3C shown in Figure 18.

[0152] The communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3C receives multiple processed signals and sends the received multiple processed signals to the image generation unit 75 of the image recognition processor 66C. The image generation unit 75 generates multiple frames of ultrasound images based on the multiple processed signals. The determination unit 76 analyzes the multiple frames of ultrasound images to determine whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images. The information determined by the determination unit 76 that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple processed signals is transmitted from the communication circuit 61 to the intracavitary probe 4E via the network NW.

[0153] The wireless communication circuit 13 of the intracavitary probe 4E receives information that a measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple ultrasound images, and transmits this information to the notification unit 80. When the notification unit 80 receives information that a measurement ultrasound image is included among the multiple processed signals, it notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging is to be terminated.

[0154] From the above, even when the ultrasound diagnostic device 2E is configured with an intracavitary probe 4E, similar to the ultrasound system of Embodiment 4, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images. Therefore, measurement ultrasound images suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained regardless of the user's skill level in ultrasound imaging.

[0155] In the ultrasound system of Embodiment 4, an ultrasound diagnostic device 2E consisting of an intracavitary probe 4E is provided instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2C. However, in the ultrasound system of Embodiment 5, an ultrasound diagnostic device consisting of an intracavitary probe may be provided instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2D.

[0156] For example, in the ultrasound system of Embodiment 5, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2F shown in Figure 21 may be provided instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2D shown in Figure 19. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2F is the ultrasound diagnostic device 2D in Embodiment 5, but with the main body 5D removed and the intracavitary probe 4F provided instead of the intracavitary probe 4D.

[0157] The intracavitary probe 4F is an additional notification unit 80 to the intracavitary probe 4D in Embodiment 5, and is equipped with a probe control unit 14F instead of a probe control unit 14D. The notification unit 80 is the same as the notification unit 24 of the device body 5D in Embodiment 5.

[0158] In the intracavitary probe 4F, the notification unit 80 is connected to the probe control unit 14F and the determination unit 78. Furthermore, the probe control unit 14F, the image generation unit 77, and the determination unit 78 constitute an image recognition processor 81.

[0159] In the intracavitary probe 4F, the image recognition processor 81 acquires multiple frames of ultrasound images, and by analyzing these multiple frames, it is determined whether the ultrasound images used for measurement are included in the images.

[0160] At this time, the image generation unit 77 generates multiple frames of ultrasound images based on multiple processed signals generated by the transmitting and receiving circuit 12. The determination unit 78 determines whether or not a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images. The information determined by the determination unit 78 that a measurement ultrasound image is included in the multiple frames of ultrasound images is sent to the notification unit 80.

[0161] The notification unit 80 notifies the subject that the ultrasound imaging is ending, based on information that the measurement ultrasound image is included among multiple frames of ultrasound images.

[0162] In this way, even when the ultrasound system is equipped with an ultrasound diagnostic device 2F consisting of an intracavitary probe 4F, it is automatically determined whether or not a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest is included among the multiple frames of ultrasound images. Therefore, even when an ultrasound is performed by a subject who does not have sufficient skill in ultrasound imaging, a measurement ultrasound image suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest can be easily obtained.

[0163] Embodiment 7 In Embodiment 1, it is explained that a physician or other medical professional uses an external terminal device 3 to measure the area of ​​interest in the ultrasound image for measurement; however, the measurement of the area of ​​interest can also be performed automatically.

[0164] The ultrasound system of Embodiment 7 is the same as the ultrasound system of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2G shown in Figure 22. In the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2G is equipped with a device body 5G instead of the device body 5.

[0165] The main unit 5G of the device is the same as the main unit 5 in Embodiment 1, but with the addition of a measurement unit 82 and a device control unit 25G instead of the device control unit 25. In the main unit 5G of the device, the wireless communication circuit 21, the image generation unit 22, the determination unit 23, and the device control unit 25 are connected to the measurement unit 82. Furthermore, the image generation unit 22, the determination unit 23, the device control unit 25G, and the measurement unit 82 constitute the image recognition processor 27G.

[0166] The measurement unit 82 measures the size of the region of interest included in the ultrasound image that has been determined by the determination unit 23 to be a measurement ultrasound image. For example, as shown in Figure 23, if the ultrasound image U6, which includes the entire region of interest F2, is determined to be a measurement ultrasound image, the measurement unit 82 can measure the maximum diameter L of the region of interest F2 as the size of the region of interest F2.

[0167] Thus, since the measurement unit 82 automatically measures the size of the area of ​​interest based on the measurement ultrasound image, it eliminates the need for, for example, a doctor or other professional to manually measure the size of the area of ​​interest using an external terminal device 3.

[0168] The measurement unit 82 links the size information of the measured area of ​​interest to the measurement ultrasound image and sends it to the wireless communication circuit 21. The wireless communication circuit 21 transmits the measurement ultrasound image and information on the size of the area of ​​interest measured by the measurement unit 82 to the external terminal device 3 shown in Figure 5 via the network NW.

[0169] The communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3 receives the ultrasound image for measurement and information on the size of the area of ​​interest, and sends it to the monitor 63 via the display control unit 62. As a result, the ultrasound image for measurement and information on the size of the area of ​​interest are displayed on the monitor 63. The doctor or other operator of the external terminal device 3 can easily grasp the ultrasound image for measurement and eliminates the need to manually measure the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0170] As described above, according to the ultrasound system of Embodiment 7, the measurement unit 82 automatically measures the size of the area of ​​interest based on the measurement ultrasound image, thus eliminating the need for doctors or other medical professionals to manually measure the size of the area of ​​interest using the measurement ultrasound image, and making it easy to obtain information on the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0171] In Embodiment 7, the measurement unit 82 is included in the main body 5G of the device, but it may also be included in, for example, the external terminal device 3. In this case, the measurement ultrasound image is transmitted from the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main body 5G to the external terminal device 3 via the network NW, and when the measurement ultrasound image is received by the communication circuit 61 of the external terminal device 3, the measurement unit 82 included in the external terminal device 3 automatically measures the size of the area of ​​interest based on the measurement ultrasound image. The size information of the area of ​​interest obtained in this way can be displayed on the monitor 63 together with the measurement ultrasound image.

[0172] Furthermore, the ultrasound system of Embodiment 7 includes an external terminal device 3, which consists of a workstation operated by a physician or the like, as well as an external terminal device consisting of a server (not shown), and the external terminal device consisting of the server may also include a measurement unit 82. In this case, the ultrasound image determined by the determination unit 23 to be a measurement ultrasound image is transmitted, for example, from the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5G to the external terminal device consisting of the server via the network NW. In this external terminal device, the measurement unit measures the size of the area of ​​interest based on the measurement ultrasound image. The size information of the area of ​​interest thus obtained is transmitted from the external terminal device consisting of the server to the external terminal device 3, which is operated by a physician or the like, via the network NW, and displayed on the monitor 63.

[0173] Even in this case, the size of the area of ​​interest is measured automatically, eliminating the need for doctors or other medical professionals to manually measure the size of the area of ​​interest using ultrasound images, and making it easy to obtain information about the size of the area of ​​interest.

[0174] An external terminal device, which is comprised of a server device (not shown), may include a determination unit 23 in addition to the measurement unit 82. In this case, the external terminal device, which is comprised of a server device, determines the measurement ultrasound image, and the determination result is transmitted from the external terminal device, which is comprised of a server device, to the wireless communication circuit 21 of the main unit 5G via the network NW, and then sent from the wireless communication circuit 21 to the notification unit 24. Furthermore, the ultrasound image determined by the determination unit 23 to be a measurement ultrasound image is transmitted from the external terminal device, which is comprised of a server device, to an external terminal device 3 operated by a doctor or the like via the network NW, and displayed on the monitor 63.

[0175] Furthermore, although the aspects of Embodiment 7 are described as being applicable to the ultrasonic system 1 of Embodiment 1, they can also be applied to the ultrasonic systems of Embodiments 2 to 6.

[0176] Embodiment 8 When subjects who have not received specialized training perform ultrasound imaging on themselves, it may not be possible to obtain an ultrasound image that includes the entire area of ​​interest, for example, only a portion of the area of ​​interest may be included in the ultrasound image. In such cases, the imaging range can be extended by electronically expanding the scanning range of the ultrasound beam.

[0177] The ultrasonic system of Embodiment 8 is the same as the ultrasonic system 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, but instead of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, it is equipped with the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2H shown in Figure 24. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2H is equipped with a device body 5H instead of the device body 5 in the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2. The main unit 5H of the device is the same as the main unit 5 of Embodiment 1, but with the addition of a shooting range extension unit 83 and a device control unit 25H instead of the device control unit 25.

[0178] In the main body 5H of the device, the detection range extension unit 83 is connected to the determination unit 23 and the device control unit 25H. Furthermore, the image generation unit 22, the determination unit 23, the device control unit 25H, and the detection range extension unit 83 constitute the image recognition processor 27H.

[0179] The imaging range extension unit 83 extends the imaging range in the depth direction or the azimuthal direction when the determination unit 23 determines that the measurement ultrasound image is not included in the ultrasound images of multiple frames. Here, the azimuthal direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the depth direction.

[0180] The imaging range extension unit 83 can automatically extend the imaging range in the depth direction by adjusting, for example, the focal depth of the intracavitary probe 4, the display depth when displaying ultrasound images on the monitor 63 of the external terminal device 3, and the so-called STC (Sensitivity Time Control) which represents the gain for each depth.

[0181] For example, even if an ultrasound image U7 is acquired that only partially includes the region of interest F3 in the deeper region, as shown in Figure 25, before the depth-direction imaging range is expanded, it is possible to acquire an ultrasound image U8 that includes the entire region of interest F4, as shown in Figure 26, by expanding the depth-direction imaging range. Here, in the example of ultrasound image U7 shown in Figure 25, a depth range of 7 cm from the subject's body surface is depicted, and in the example of ultrasound image U8 shown in Figure 26, the imaging range has been expanded to a depth range of 9 cm from the subject's body surface.

[0182] Furthermore, the shooting range extension unit 83 can automatically extend the shooting range in the azimuth direction by, for example, electronically adjusting the field of view angle in the azimuth direction.

[0183] For example, even if, before the azimuthal imaging range is expanded, an ultrasound image U9 is acquired that only partially includes the region of interest F5 at the azimuthal edge, as shown in Figure 27, expanding the azimuthal imaging range makes it possible to acquire an ultrasound image U10 that includes the entire region of interest F6, as shown in Figure 28.

[0184] As described above, with the ultrasound system of Embodiment 6, even when it is difficult to obtain an ultrasound image suitable for measuring the area of ​​interest due to the subject undergoing ultrasound imaging not having sufficient skill, the imaging range expansion unit 83 automatically expands the imaging range in the depth direction or azimuthal direction, making it easy to obtain an ultrasound image for measurement.

[0185] Although the aspect of Embodiment 8 is described as being applicable to Embodiment 1, it can also be applied to Embodiments 2 to 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0186] 1 Ultrasound system, 2,2A,2B,2C,2D,2E,2F,2G,2H Ultrasound diagnostic device, 3,3A,3B,3C External terminal device, 4,4B,4D,4E,4F Intracavitary probe, 5,5A,5B,5C,5D,5G,5H Device body, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmit / receive circuit, 13,21 Wireless communication circuit, 14,14D,14E,14F Probe control unit, 22,71,74,75,77 Image generation unit, 23,76,78 Judgment unit, 24,80 Notification unit, 25,25A,25B,25C,25D,25G,25H Device control unit, 26 Input device, 27,27A,27B,66C,79,81,27G,27H Image recognition processor, 41 Pulsar, 42 Amplifier, 43 AD converter, 44 Beamformer, 45 Signal processing unit, 46 DSC, 47 Image processing unit, 61 Communication circuit, 62 Display control unit, 63 Monitor, 64, 64A, 64B, 64C Terminal control unit, 65 Input device, 66, 66A, 66B Processor, 72 Transmitting circuit, 73 Receiving circuit, 82 Measurement unit, 83 Imaging range extension unit, F1 Ovaries, F2~F6 Site of interest, L Maximum diameter, NW Network, R1 Region, T Uterus, U1~U10 Ultrasound image.

Claims

1. An intracavitary probe having a transducer array and for acquiring imaging data by ultrasound imaging of a subject's area of ​​interest, An image recognition processor that analyzes multiple imaging data in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intra-body cavity probe to determine whether or not the multiple imaging data includes measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest. An ultrasonic system equipped with [unspecified features].

2. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1, wherein the image recognition processor detects the area of ​​interest from the plurality of captured data, determines whether the entire area of ​​interest is included in the captured data in which the area of ​​interest is detected, and determines that the measurement captured data is included in the plurality of captured data if there is a captured data among the plurality of captured data in which it is determined that the entire area of ​​interest is included.

3. The device comprises a main body connected to the intra-body cavity probe, The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intra-body probe transmits the plurality of imaging data to the main body of the device.

4. The ultrasonic system according to claim 3, wherein the main body of the device includes the image recognition processor.

5. The device includes an external terminal device connected to the main body of the device via a network, The main body of the device transmits the multiple images to the external terminal device. The ultrasonic system according to claim 3, wherein the external terminal device includes the image recognition processor.

6. The system includes an external terminal device connected to the intra-body cavity probe via a network, The intra-body probe transmits the plurality of imaging data to the external terminal device. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the external terminal device and the image recognition processor.

7. The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intracavitary probe includes the image recognition processor.

8. The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of imaging data are obtained by ultrasound imaging while the subject moves the intracavitary probe.

9. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of imaging data are acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasound while the intra-body probe steers in the plurality of scanning directions.

10. The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging data is any of the following: a received echo signal obtained by the intracavitary probe, a processed signal obtained by signal processing based on the received echo signal, or an ultrasound image generated based on the processed signal.

11. The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the subject to terminate the ultrasound imaging when the image recognition processor determines that the measurement imaging data is included in the plurality of imaging data.

12. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image recognition processor includes a measurement unit that measures the size of the area of ​​interest based on the measurement imaging data.

13. The device includes an external terminal device connected to the main body of the device, The external terminal device has a monitor, The ultrasonic system according to claim 3, wherein the measurement data is transmitted from the image recognition processor to the external terminal device, and an ultrasonic image based on the measurement data is displayed on the monitor.

14. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image recognition processor includes a shooting range extension unit that expands the shooting range in the depth direction or azimuthal direction when it is determined that the measurement shooting data is not included in the plurality of shooting data.

15. The ultrasound system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intracavitary probe is a transvaginal probe for ultrasound imaging of the ovary or follicle as the site of interest.

16. A method for controlling an ultrasound system having an intracavitary probe and an image recognition processor for ultrasound imaging of a site of interest of a subject, A control method for an ultrasound system in which the image recognition processor analyzes multiple imaging data in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intra-body cavity probe to determine whether or not the multiple imaging data includes measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest.

17. An intracavitary probe having a transducer array and for acquiring imaging data by ultrasound imaging a site of interest of a subject, An image recognition processor that analyzes multiple imaging data in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intra-body cavity probe to determine whether or not the multiple imaging data includes measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest. Equipped with, An ultrasonic system comprising an image recognition processor that detects the area of ​​interest from the plurality of captured data, determines whether the entire area of ​​interest is included in the captured data in which the area of ​​interest was detected, and determines that the measurement data is included in the plurality of captured data if there is a captured data among the plurality of captured data in which it is determined that the entire area of ​​interest is included.

18. An intracavitary probe having a transducer array and for acquiring imaging data by ultrasound imaging a site of interest of a subject, An image recognition processor that analyzes multiple imaging data in multiple scanning directions acquired by the intra-body cavity probe to determine whether or not the multiple imaging data includes measurement imaging data suitable for measuring the size of the area of ​​interest. Equipped with, An ultrasonic system comprising: an image recognition processor that detects the area of ​​interest from the plurality of captured data; determines whether the entire area of ​​interest is included in the captured data in which the area of ​​interest was detected; calculates the clarity of the edges of the area of ​​interest in the plurality of captured data; and determines that the measurement data is included in the plurality of captured data if there is a captured data among the plurality of captured data in which the entire area of ​​interest is determined to be included and the clarity is higher than a predetermined threshold.

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